No change: A tale of Deja vu in Kenya’s politics

No Change : Veteran Columnist Draws Chilling Parallels in Kenya’s Current Politics
In a provocative opinion piece, longstanding democratic activist Gitobu Imanyara warns that Kenya may be slipping into a familiar cycle of repression and political stagnation under the current William Ruto administration. Imanyara draws a direct line from the autocratic era of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) in the 1980s and 1990s to contemporary governance practices, citing mandatory payroll deductions disguised as social levies and state crackdowns on protests as echoing past abuses.
The commentary highlights two key flashpoints: first, the introduction of a payroll deduction labelled a Housing Levy, which Imanyara likens to KANU’s forced contributions in the late 1980s; and second, the June 25, 2024 protests against the controversial Finance Bill, which were met with heavy‑handed responses he says mirrored the brutal suppression of the 1990 Saba Saba demonstrations. Imanyara argues the lessons of history are not being learned:
Repression only delays the inevitable.
He contends the rhetoric around reform and democratic renewal is hollow if the institutional behaviours remain unchanged.
Reactions were swift and mixed. Civil society organisations saw the article as a timely wake‑up call, warning that Kenya’s democratic gains risk eroding if patterns of state coercion continue. Meanwhile, some political commentators accused Imanyara of overstating the parallels and argued that current reforms deserve some credit despite flaws. The broader impact lies in the framing: if citizens accept the narrative of déjà vu, momentum for meaningful change may dwindle rather than grow.
Looking ahead, the piece challenges both leadership and citizens. For the government, Imanyara urges urgent reforms to break the pattern—making governance responsive rather than repetitive. For civil society and voters, the message is clear: passivity today may mean conformity tomorrow. Kenya stands at a crossroads: repeat the mistakes of the past, or finally break free of them.